The Role of Women in the Workforce in Canada

Challenges and Opportunities

Juracy Américo de Oliveira Filho

ILAC - International Language Academy of Canada
Mareen Sachdeva

2024-09-29

Agenda/Overview

Key topics:
- The Gender Pay Gap
- Underrepresentation in Leadership
- Unequal Division of Unpaid Labor
- Addressing Counter-Arguments
- Rebuttals: Economic Benefits & Cultural Shifts
- The Future: A Collective Effort
- References
- Q&A

To understand the scope of this issue:

We’ll begin by examining the gender pay gap, analyzing its causes and implications.
Next, we’ll address the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, identifying the systemic barriers hindering their advancement.
Then, we’ll turn our attention to the unequal division of unpaid labor, highlighting its impact on women’s career trajectories.
We’ll then confront common counter-arguments against gender inequality, offering well-supported rebuttals.
Our focus will then shift to highlighting the compelling economic benefits of gender equality and the necessity of cultural shifts in dismantling outdated gender norms.
Finally, we’ll look towards the future, emphasizing the need for collective action in establishing equitable workplaces.
Follow by my references and Q&A

Introduction

The Gender Pay Gap

Women earn less than men
Occupational segregation lowers pay
Bias impacts pay for women

Underrepresentation in Leadership

Figure 3:
*Women in CEO and executive positions*

Few women lead major companies.
Diverse leadership boosts profits.
Support women: mentor, sponsor, promote.

Unequal Division of Unpaid Labor

Unpaid labor burdens women.
“Second shift” hurts careers.
Shared responsibility is key.

Counter-Arguments

Affordable childcare boosts economies.
Equality benefits businesses too.
Investing in families is crucial.

Rebuttals: Economic Benefits & Debunking Stereotypes

Data disproves “ambition gap” myth.
Women face more career barriers.
Evaluate systems, not stereotypes.

(Debunking Stereotypes about Ambition & Leadership): Another common argument relies on harmful stereotypes, suggesting women are less ambitious or lack the qualities of effective leaders. This simply isn’t true. Research consistently debunks this myth, demonstrating that women are just as interested in leadership roles as their male counterparts. The difference lies not in ambition, but in the unequal obstacles women face throughout their careers, from biased performance reviews to a lack of mentorship and sponsorship opportunities. When we break down these barriers and create a level playing field, we unleash the full potential of women in leadership, leading to more diverse perspectives, innovative solutions, and ultimately, stronger organizations.

(Transition to next slide): So, how do we translate these rebuttals into tangible action? It requires a two-pronged approach: enacting policy changes that promote equality and fostering a cultural shift that values the contributions of all individuals.

Solutions: Policy Changes & Cultural Shifts

Figure 7:
*The fight for an equal voice*

Policies must support equality.
Change requires cultural shifts.
Challenge norms; dismantle bias.

The Future: A Collective Effort

Gender equality benefits everyone.
Challenge inequality; be an ally.
Collective action creates change.

References

Belderbos, H. (2024). Achieving affordable child care in canada. https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/achieving-affordable-child-care-in-canada/179301/

Gourtsilidou, M. (2022). Top career barriers women face in technology sector. https://ceoworld.biz/2022/04/01/top-career-barriers-women-face-in-technology-sector/

Bennardo, M. (2019). Women hold less than 20. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/statistics-canada-women-corporate-boards-1.5125995

Canada’s gender wage gap narrows: Women earn $4.13 less than men per hour - national | globalnews.ca. (2019). https://globalnews.ca/news/6001276/gender-wage-gap-women-canada/

Lipman, J. (2015). Opinion | let’s expose the gender pay gap. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/13/opinion/lets-expose-the-gender-pay-gap.html

Heritage Matters - Women’s rights are human rights The fight for an equal voice. (n.d.). https://www.heritage-matters.ca/articles/womens-rights-are-human-rights-the-fight-for-an-equal-voice

International day of the girl. (n.d.). https://plancanada.ca/get-involved/active-campaigns/international-day-of-the-girl

News, A. B. C. (n.d.). Female NASCAR drivers on the challenges in competing in the male-dominated sport. https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/female-nascar-drivers-challenges-competing-male-dominated-sport/story?id=82838424